"We must talk again later on," he said, in low quick tones. "Now
you're going to breakfast with the king. I shall be there, and
Bernenstein. Remember, not a word of your errand, not a word of
this gentleman! At a word, a sign, a hint, a gesture, a motion,
as God lives, I'll put a bullet through your head, and a thousand
kings sha'n't stop me. Rudolf, get behind the curtain. If there's
an alarm you must jump through the window into the moat and swim
for it."
"All right," said Rudolf Rassendyll. "I can read my letter
there."
"Burn it, you fool."
"When I've read it I'll eat it, if you like, but not before."
Bernenstein looked in again. "Quick, quick! The man will be
back," he whispered.
"Bernenstein, did you hear what I said to the count?"
"Yes, I heard."
"Then you know your part. Now, gentlemen, to the king."
"Well," said an angry voice outside, "I wondered how long I was
to be kept waiting."
Rudolf Rassendyll skipped behind the curtain. Sapt's revolver
slipped into a handy pocket. Rischenheim stood with arms dangling
by his side and his waistcoat half unbuttoned. Young Bernenstein
was bowing low on the threshold, and protesting that the king's
servant had but just gone, and that they were on the point of
waiting on his Majesty.
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